I charge them for their room and board.”
“In other words, nothing has changed for them,” said Rikus with disgust. “You pay their wages with one hand, then collect the money back for rent with the other. They are still no better than slaves.”
“I beg to disagree,” protested Timor, raising his eyebrows. “They are merely experiencing the economics of freedom. As slaves, they were my property, and I was obliged to care for them. As freemen, they are free to come and go as they choose, and I am obliged only to pay them for the work they perform. I am not obliged to house them, and there is nothing to prevent them from seeking cheaper accommodations in the warrens. However, they seem to prefer the comfort and safety of the templars’ quarter to the crime-ridden and pestilential conditions they would encounter elsewhere in the city. Since I am offering them superior accommodations, I feel it is not unreasonable that I charge for them accordingly. In fact, I am being more than fair. I do not charge them any more than what they can afford to pay.”
“Trust a templar to find a loophole in the law,” Rikus said contemptuously.
“Enough,” Sadira said firmly. “While I cannot condone Timor’s self-serving rationalizations, they nevertheless underscore a valid point. We had not given enough thought to how the city would be affected by outlawing slavery, and we are now paying the price for that oversight. The question now before the council is how to remedy the situation. Granting home-steading rights to the former slaves in Kalak’s fields outside the city has not addressed the problem adequately. Many are not taking advantage of the opportunity, but even if they did, there would not be enough fertile land for all of them. And among those who have established homesteads, we have already seen disputes over water rights and boundaries and rights of way.
“We still have scores of former slaves in the city who are beggars on the street. Riots in the warrens, as well as in the elven market, have become common, and they are spreading to other sections of the city. The mobs are growing large enough to intimidate the soldiers, and if these uprisings continue, fewer traders will come to the city. They have already started joining caravans to Urik, instead. We have survived one war with Urik only to be plunged into another—a war of trade. If our treasury dwindles further while Urik’s grows, it shall not be long before they are strong enough to attack us once again.”
“The way things have been going, they may not have to,” Timor said wryly. “The people will simply open up the gates and let them in.”
“Never!” Rikus said. “Not after all they have suffered to see the end of Kalak’s tyranny!”
“For the moment, perhaps, you enjoy the people’s support,” said Timor, “but do not count on it overmuch. The people have short memories, and the mob is fickle. The heroes who killed Kalak will very soon become the council members who have brought the city to ruin, and the mob that once cheered you will start howling for your heads.”
“And I bet you would like that, wouldn’t you?” asked Rikus through gritted teeth.
“I?” said Timor. “You mistake me, Councilman. I bear you no malice or ill will. Remember that I, too, sit upon the council, and if the mob starts howling for your head, they shall call for mine, as well. I might also add that it would hardly be in my best interests if this government should fail and Tyr falls prey to Urik. As one of Kalak’s former templars, I would be among the very first to be executed by King Hamanu.”
“Thus far, we have heard a litany of things we have done wrong,” Sadira said. “We have yet to hear any suggestions from the templars as to what we can do right.”
The other council members nodded and muttered in agreement. None of them appeared to have any constructive suggestions to offer, and they would just as soon see that burden fall on the templars.
“As it happens, I do have a few modest proposals,” Timor replied.
“I can well imagine what they are,” Rikus muttered.
“Let him speak, Rikus,” said Councilman Kor. “We cannot judge these proposals until we hear them.”
“Thank you,” Timor said, bowing his head slightly. “My first proposal is that we institute a tariff on all farm produce brought into the city.”
“What? More taxes?” Rikus said with disbelief. “That is your solution? We